WOMEN’S SOCCER

Facing their fourth consecutive nationally ranked Crossroads League opponent, the Huntington women’s soccer team stood tall against No. 2 Indiana Wesleyan Saturday afternoon, delivering a resolute, scoreless second-half performance before ultimately falling 2-0 at the IWU Soccer Field.

The second-ranked Wildcats (10-1-2, 2-1-1 CL) entered the afternoon boasting a 35-7 scoring advantage on the season with eight clean sheets to their credit. IWU did not concede a goal until its sixth match of the fall in a 1-1 deadlock with then-No. 1 Cumberlands – the lone score surrendered during its non-conference slate – before climbing two spots past Marian in the latest NAIA national poll.

IWU applied quick pressure in the opening minutes, breaking through in the sixth minute when Alyssa Hamann scored unassisted to make it 1-0. Six minutes later, Avery Williams doubled the margin off a feed from Hamann in the 12th minute. Huntington’s defense tightened from there, highlighted by senior defender Jezmin Castellanos clearing an IWU attempt off the line for a team defensive save in the 20th minute.

Following the intermission, the Foresters (5-4-1, 0-4-0 CL) responded with tenacity, neutralizing the Wildcats’ attack over the final 45 minutes while generating five second-half shots of their own, including dangerous chances on goal from senior Sophie Shepherd and junior Rachel Lecker.

“The scoreboard said 2-0, but today we found something bigger than a result – we found our identity again,” said HU head coach Keaton Albert. “A 0-0 second half showed the family, fight, discipline and standard that has always been in us. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re on the rise.”

Indiana Wesleyan held a 17-9 edge in total shots (7-3 on frame). Junior goalkeeper Macie Sanders went the distance between the posts, stopping four of the six shots on target she faced across 90 minutes.

Up Next
Huntington returns home to King Stadium on Saturday to host Saint Francis in Crossroads League action. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 p.m.